Arc 4: Chapter 8: Auspice
While I gave Kieran time to reflect on what I’d said and prepare himself to answer my questions, I brought Lias up to speed on recent events. In particular, I told him about the Woed I’d slain beneath Rose Malin, of my encounter with the demon Yith, and of the storm ogre who’d fallen into Garihelm’s streets the previous night.
“You know there was a time when such attacks were common?” Lias said musingly, sipping at a steaming cup of tea. He'd known about the attack on the city, though I'd provided him more first-hand details. “My auguries have detected many spirits lurking on the subcontinent’s borders of late, especially in the north. I haven’t investigated the Fences, or been to the south in years… Even still, this is quite the escalation.”
We sat in his study, in a space mostly clear of clutter. I had a cup of hot tea in my hands as well, though I just stared at it, my mind elsewhere. We sat on two comfortable chairs near a lit hearth along one corner of the large room. The wizard had one slim leg crossed over the other, and he’d done somewhat to clean himself up, brushing his hair and shaving. He still looked haggard, but no longer quite like the madman in the tower.
“Do you think it has to do with the Riven Order being broken?” I asked him.
He cast me a put upon look. I help up one hand. “I’m not trying to guilt you,” I said. “It’s an honest question.”
The magus blew out a breath, leaning back in his chair. “Maybe. I did investigate the potential consequences of the divide between east and west, and what might happen if it were mended. It’s not like we’ve been completely isolated, you know. Things get through all the time. Travelers, traders, spirits, monsters… There have even been invasions. Raids. Piracy has been common throughout our land’s history. Think of the Crusades!" He lifted his cup. "Do you think our territorial aggressions in that time only had an effect one way?"
Territorial aggressions. I frowned at his words. He made it sound like something base. "Our ancestors fought those wars to reclaim lands lost to the Cambion."
Lias only stared at me, his expression neutral.
“This is the first time the nominal leader of our nations has opened the door,” I said, changing the subject. “It changed something. It let the Zosite return.”
Lias’s eyes narrowed. “And what do you know of the Zosite?”
I shrugged. “I learned about them in Seydis. Mostly from…”